Air circulation system and structure



Filed Nov. 8, 1957 H. D. BAKER ET AL l 3,025,683

AIR CIRCULATION SYSTEM AND STRUCTURE v l 4 slams-sheet av 1 1Q.

INVENTOR. LEE H. D..5/7KR. 0 6. .BEC/(772 March 20; 1962 H. D. BAKER ET 'AL v 3,025,683 AIR CIRCULATION SYSTEMAND STRUCTURE Filed N Ov. 8, 1957 A'Shee'cs-Sheet 5.

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AIR CIRCULATION SYSTEM AND STRUCTURE i 4 sheds-$115654 mmf M mgm R E55, ,rw www n W /Z fos? Mmh 2o, 1962 Filed NOV. 8,0195? v ited States Patent tiice 3,0Z5,h83 Patented Mar. 20, 1952 3,025,683 AIR CIRCULATION SYSTEM AND STRUCTURE Lee H. D. Baker, St. Joseph, Mich., and Leo G. Beckett, Henderson, Ky., assignors to Whiripool Corporation, St. Joseph, Mich., a corporation of Delaware Filed Nov. 8, 1957, Ser. No. 695,288 3 Claims. (Cl. 62-419) The present invention relates to a refrigerated cabinet and more particularly to an air circulation system and structure for such a cabinet which affords an improvement in cabinet humidity as well as in temperature distribution.

As is well known, humidity in refrigerated cabinets presents a serious problem for the preservation of foodstuffs and the like, particularly in certain geographical areas where outside humidity is high. In addition to overcoming this problem of high cabinet humidity, it has also been the desire to `develop a refrigerated cabinet which has better temperature distribution therein from that now available so that different areas in the cabinet can be maintained at a more effective degree of coldness. For example, one weak area of temperature control has been in the conventional storage shelves located on the inside of the cabinet door. Thus, humidity and temperature distribution are two important factors considered in the design of a refrigerated cabinet.

By virtue of the applicants novel invention, an air circulation system and structure is provided for a refrigerated cabinet wherein air is blown or circulated by means of a blower disposed in a passageway in the cabinet door from the passageway, through the refrigerated cabinet and then back into the passageway either in one or several circulatory paths. The instant invention also utilizes a baffle arrangement surrounding the coo-ling element in the refrigerated cabinet to direct the movement of air iiowing from the passageway in the door over the cooling element, thereby affording noticeably cooler circulating air than when a baille is not used. Moreover, the baie may be combined with a shroud to define a space of low ternperature especially suitable for the preservation of the more highly perishable commodities, such as meats, for example.

In addition, with the applicants novel invention, the heat resulting from the operation of the power source for the blower may be used to warm the air in a closed storage compartment in the door, such as the type normally used for storing butter or the like, thereby eliminating the necessity of using separate heaters and heater controls to warm the compartment and to maintain the temperature thereof at a generally constant level.

The principal object of the present invention, therefore, is to provide an air circulation system for a refrigerated cabinet which effects lower cabinet humidity and improved temperature distribution.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an air circulation system and structure for a refrigerated cabinet which utilizes a baffle around the cabinet cooling element to attain cooler circulating air.

Still ranother object of the present invention is to Warm and maintain the temperature of a closed storage compartment in the door of a refrigerated cabinet at a generally constant level as an incidence of the operation of the blower used in the air circulation system.

A further and more general object of the invention is to provide an improved air circulation system and structure for a refrigerated cabinet which affords better temperature distribution in the refrigerated cabinet by the creation of one of more circulatory paths threthrough.

Gther objects and better understanding of the invention will become more apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which FIG. 1 is a fragmentary sectional view, taken at line 1-1 of FIG. 2 and looking in the direction of the arrows, showing in detail a typical door structure for a refri-gen ated cabinet in accordance with the persent invention, and a generally diagrammatic representation ofthe inside of the cabinet;

FIG. 2 is a detailed fragmentary view in front elevation of the door of FIG. 1, broken away to show the blower assembly arrangement, and with broken lines defining the air passageway;

FIG. 3 is a view in vertical section showing a portion of a typical cabinet structure in accordance with the instant invention;

FIG. 4 is a View in front elevation of the structure of FIG. 3; and,

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view in vertical section of a modified door structure in accordance with the instant invention.

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as listed therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

Referring now to the figures, the applicants novel air circulation system and structure is shown embodied in a conventional household refrigerator-freezer combination 1t), for example, comprising a main food storage compartment 11 and a freezer compartment 12 in a cabinet 14 which has an upper door 15 and a lower door 16 providing access to the food `storage compartment 11 and the freezer compartment 12, respectively. The upper and lower doors 15 and 16 are conventionally hinged to the cabinet 14 at 17 and a handle and latch mechanism 18 is typically found on each door.

Cabinet 14 has a liner 20 forming the main food storage compartment 11 and a liner 21 forming the freezer cornpartment 12, with conventional insulation 22 between the cabinet 14 and the respective liners 20 and 21.

The upper door 15 and the lower doo-r 16 comprise exterior door panels 24 and 25, respectively, and inner door panels 26 and 27, respectively, which fasten together around the periphery of the doors by a screw and clip assembly 29 (shown in FIG. 5), for example, gasket 30 being provided therebetween for purposes of sealing. In the typical embodiment illustrated herein, inner door panels 26 and 27 are vacuum molded plastic, for example. Conventional insulation 32 is found between the exterior and inner door panels 24 and 26, and 25 and 27 of upper and lower doors 15 and 16, respectively.

Referring now particularly to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, closed storage compartments 35, 36 and 37 having doors 35a, 36a and 37a, respectively, hinged or otherwise secured thereto are disposed in the inner door panel 26. The storage compartments 35, 36 and 37 may serve for the storage of butter, cheese, eggs and the like. The inner door panel 26 may also include a tall bottle storage shelf 38, a fruit bin 39 and another storage shelf 40. Trim members 38a and 40a are provided to keep the stored contents from slipping from storage shelves 38 and 40, respectively. In the typical embodiment illustrated herein, shelves 26a on the bottom of tall bottle storage shelf 38 and storage shelf `40 are formed in the plastic inner door panel 26 and storage shelf 38 is separated from storage compartments 35, 36 and 37 by a dyke or raised partition 26b similarly formed therein. It should be understood that the particular arrangement of storage areas described herein in connection with inner door panel 26 is by way of example.

Extending upwardly in door 15 between the inner door panel 26 and insulation 32 is a duct 45, the lower end of which is received in an air inlet `46 formed between a flange 26C and the back surface of the inner door panel 26, with a trim member 47 being provided to decoratively cover the air inlet 46. Duct 45 has a projection or ear 45a extending from the top thereof into the dyke 26b formed in. inner door panel 26, conventional fastening means (not shown), such as screws and clips, for example, being provided to secure the projection or ear 45a to the dyke 2619. The projection 45a has an opening 45b therein complementary to an opening in dyke 26b and an opening 51a in a blower scroll 51 positioned in storage compartment 35, the latter to be discussed herebelow.

A'blower assembly 50 comprising a blower scroll 51, a blower wheel 52 and a power source 53 is located in storage compartment 35. The power source 53 may be a conventional electric motor, for example. A partition '5 divides the storage compartment 35 into two separate sections 35h and 35e, the partition 55 having openings 55a therein to permit the passage of air between sections 35h and 35e. In the typical embodiment described herein, the blower assembly 50 is located in section 35'b while section 35C is used for the storage of food.

Blower scroll 51 is secured to dyke 2Gb by screws 56, with the power source or motor 53 being secured to a mounting bracket 57 which fastens to a side of the blower scroll 51 through an insulating member (not shown). Blower scroll 51 has an outlet 51b opening upwardly into a duct outlet 60 which extends over the storage compartment 35. Duct outlet 66 has several openings 60a in the front thereof for the passage of air (see FIG. 2).

It should be understood from the above that a continuous air passageway is provided in the upper door 15 through air inlet 46, duct `45, projection or ear 45a, opening 45h. in ear 45a, the opening in dyke 2Gb, opening 51a in blower scroll 51, blower scroll 51, outlet 51b of the blower scroll 51, duct outlet 6th and the openings 60a thereof. Duct 45 also includes an opening 45o for an additional path of air circulation, to be discussed herebelow.

Referring now to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, a typical-cabinet structure forv the applicants novel air circulation system includes an air. inlet assembly 65 positioned near the top of the food storage compartment 11 adjacent the breaker strip 66 which covers the insulation 22 between the cabinet 14 and the liner 2t). The air inlet assembly 65 is divided into a number of separate openings 65a which preferably` are complementary to the openings 60a in duct outlet 60 when the upper door is closed. In the typical. embodiment described herein, air inlet assembly 65 includes a thermostat mechanism 67 having a face member 67a and an indicator 671), with a strip 68 being provided to decoratively face the front of the assembly.

Extending between the back of air inlet assembly 65 and the backk wall of liner 20 isa baffle 70 which is supported at one end by projections 65e. extending from the lair inlet assembly 65 into recesses 70a provided in a flange in the baille 70 and at the other end by studs 72,

extending from a shroud 73 and from the side wall of the.

liner 20. A space is provided between the back of'the batfle 70 and the back wall of the liner 20 for thepassage of air, to be discussed herebelow.

Shroud 73 comprises a vertical wall 73a having a member 73b at the, front edgey thereof, a, horizontally tilted grill 73C and a series of vertical louvers 73dY formed in another wall thereof. In the typical embodiment de# scribed herein, shroud 73 is made of a plastic material and ribs 73e are formed on vertical wall 73a for rigidity. Grill 73C and vertical louvers 73d are provided for the passage of air, to be discussed herebelow.

' Disposed between'the bafe '[0 and the top wall of the liner 20 is a conventional serpentine coil evaporator 75 secured by mounting brackets 76 and lugs 77 to the top and back Walls of the liner 20, the evaporator 75 being part of a conventional refrigeration system (not shown). Beneath evaporator 75 is a drip rail assembly 79 including a drain 7 9a formed behind grill 73C in the shroud 73, a drip rail 79h and a drain cup 79C, all of which are Well known in the art. Storage drawers 80 and 8l extend between and are channeled on slide arrangements (not shown) positioned on the vertical wall 73a of the shroud 73 and the side wall of the liner 20. Storage drawers 80 .and 81 are especially adaptable for storing perishable commodities such as eggs and meat, for example, as explained below.

Referring to FIGS. l to 4, inclusive, with blower wheel 52 rotating in the direction of the arrow in FIG. l, air is drawn from the main food storage compartment 11 into the air passageway in upper door 15 through air inlet 46 and the opening 45C in the duct 45. The air flows up duct 45 and through the blower assembly 50, as described above, and then passes from openings 60a in duct outlet 60 into the openings 65a in the air inlet assembly 65. The air then flows over the evaporator 75, with the baffle 70 directing the path of air circulation thereover to reduce the temperature of the circulating air.

The air then Hows down the back of the main food storage compartment 11 through the space provided between the bafe 70 and the liner 2i), following the paths defined by the arrows in FIG. l. Some of the air passing over the evaporator flows out into the main food storage compartment 11 through the grill 73C and the vertical louvers 73a' in the shroud 73, as indicated by the arrows in FIG. 4. The air circulating in the main food storage compartment 11 passes over and through the conventional wire shelves 82 on which food is placed and around and under a conventional crisper bin 83, diagrammatically indicated at the bottom of the main food storage compartment 11 in FIG. l, and then back into air inlet 46 or opening 45C in the duct 45 for recirculation. It will be observed that with the use of an additional air intake opening, such 45C, there is an added path of air circulation.

When the power source or moto-r 53 'operates to rotate the blower wheel 52, heat is generated and the air in section 35h of storage compartment 35 is warmed. Inasrnuch as there are openings 55a in partition 55 separating the storage compartment 35 into two sections 35b and 35e, the warm air passes through these openings 55a and warms the air in the section 35C, which may be used for the storage an-d conditioning of butter, for example. It should be notedv that the air in the butte-r compartment is therefore mainta-ined at a desired temperature without the necessity of auxiliary heaters or other controls, which have been necessary heretofore.

FIG. 5 discloses a modified arrangement of the upper door structure ofthe preceding figures, with corresponding parts bearing the same reference number. In this modification, the. blower assembly 50 is shown positioned at the lower end ofY ythe air passageway which extends upwardly through the door. As indicated above, the blower assembly 50. comprises a blower scroll 51, a blower wheel 52 and a power source or motor 53, with a seal being provided to prevent the movement of air into the insulated area 32 between the exterior door panel 24 and the inner door panel 26.

Air is drawn intoy the door structure through an inlet duct 101 having openings lilla therein and through auxiliary inlets 102a in the lower part of cover member 102 adjacent blower scroll `51. Blower wheel 52 then forces the air from the blower assembly 50 through an opening 51a in blower scroll 51 into the upper part of cover member 102 and-through channel 103 into a hollow shelf 104. From the hollow shelf 104, the air flows into a channel extending up the center of the door 15. Openings 104a are provided in the hollow shelf 154 to permit passage of air into the channel 105. Channel 105 has openings la disposed on either side thereof to allow the air to pass from the lchannel 105 into shelves or compartments formed in the inner door panel 26, the channel 105 assuming the same position as the dyke 26b formed in the inner `door panel 26 of FIG. 2, for example.

Channel 105 xtends through the top of inner door panel 26 into a `duct outlet 106 having openings 1066: therein, and air flowing through channel 105 passes into the main -food storage comp-artrnent 11 through duct outlet 106 `and the openings 1.06ct. A partition 110 is provided above the channel `105 lto form a wall of Ithe duct outlet 106, the partition attaching at 111 to the inside of the exterior door panel 24 and inner door panel 26. It should be understood that the openings 101a in inlet duct 101 and the openings 10661 in outlet duct 106 may each extend -across the door to provide a wide path of air circulation in the main food sto-rage cabinet 11.

The operation of the applicants novel air circulation system utilizing the modiiied structure of FIG. 5 is similar to that described in connection with FIGS. 1 to 4, inclusive. As should be apparent from the above, air is drawn into the passageway in the door in at least two principal inlets and is circulated by the blower wheel through the door and discharged from the passageway into various sections of the inner `door panel and from near the top thereof. The `air outlet may be used in conjunction with a cabinet structure similar to that of FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, modified as necessary or may be used independently.

From the preceding, it should be apparent that the applicants have provided a novel air circulation system and structure which laffords lower cabinet humidity and improved temperature distribution, `and that use of the novel baflie and shroud arrangement results in a lower temperature of the circulating air as well as a storage area of more concentrated coldness.

The structure of the air circuiation system is susceptible to various changes within the spirit of the invention. For example, various combinations of air inlets and air outlets may be used in the door structure; several blowers may be used; and, the actual conguration of the air inlets and air outlets may assume various shapes, depending upon location and the desired air circulation. It should be understood, of course, that the system is more effective with use of Ithe shroud and baiie arrangement, but that desirable resul-ts are also attained with the independent use of the circulatory structure found in the door. Thus, the above description should be considered as illustrative `and not as limiting the scope of the followlowing claims.

We claim:

1. A refrigerator cabinet having a food storage compartment therein; an evaporator within said food storage compartment; a vertically disposed closure member hingedly attached to said cabinet and comprising an exterior panel and an inner panel, said inner panel having first openings in a lower portion and second openings in an upper portion; power driven air moving means having an inlet and an outlet and mounted in said closure member -adjacent said lirst openings; a cover enclosing said air moving means and mounted on said inner panel to form a duct portion communicating with said outlet of the air moving means; a hollow shelf mounted on said inner panel having third openings, said shelf being in communication with said duct portion; and a vertically extending hollow channel mounted on said inner panel having one end in alignment with said third openings of said hollow shelf and the other end adjacent said second openings, whereby air may be `directed inwardly through said lirst openings to said inlet of said air moving means. and outwardly 'through said outlet of said air moving means through said duct portion, said hollow shelf, said vertical channel and said second openings into said food storage compartment for conditioning by said evaporator before returning to said first openings.

2. The refrigerator cabinet as claimed in cla-im l wherein said cover is further defined as having fourth openings adjacent said inlet of said air moving means to provide a supplemental air inlet -to said air moving means.

3. The refrigerator cabinet as claimed in claim 1 wherein said vertically extending hollow channel is further defined as having fifth openings therein, said inner panel further including a plurality of storage shelves positioned adjacent said fifth openings, whereby a portion of the air being circulated may flow out through said fifth openings adjacent said storage shelves.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,961,070 Murphy May 29, 1934 2,021,096 Canton Nov. 12, 1935 2,047,156 Reumann July 7, 1936 2,112,277 Euwer Mar. 29, 1938 2,136,999 Bonsall Nov. 15, 1938 2,297,581 Peltier Sept. 29, 1942 2,317,840 Wild Apr. 27, 1943 v2,433,655 Zoppola Dec. 30, 1947 2,458,045 Angus Jau. 4, 1949 2,712,733 King July 12, 1955 2,758,449' Wallenbrock Aug. 14, 1956 2,801,525 Bixler Aug. 6, 1957 

